Lagos — Ahead of the 2011 general election, both political parties as well as second term governors have commenced intense political manoeuverings. In Kano State for instance, the trend is the same. The state is one of the few others in the country where the incumbent governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, is running his second term in office.

There are insinuations that the governor will seek the presidential ticket of his party, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), in 2011, as a result of his perceived purposeful leadership in Kano. THISDAY learnt that political associates of Shekarau in the state and at the national level, have commenced moves to drag the governor into the presidential race.

At different public fora in the state, his supporters have not ceased to appeal to the governor to consider a shot at the Presidency, saying his leadership style thus far has clearly portrayed him as a true democrat, with genuine concern for the growth of democracy in the country. They argued that this leadership trait is evident in infrastructural provisions, employment opportunities and rural development.

To this end, an organization tagged Shekarau 2011 Presidency Project, has been constituted with Alhaji Yakubu Dangawon Jingau as the Chairman. He explained the rationale behind the action. "Governor Shekarau has made wonderful progress. First, as a person, he is sincere. Number two, he is a real patriot who believes in Nigeria and three, he loves Nigeria. This towering politician, Shekarau, deserves a presidential ticket because the governor is working hard to put in place an enabling environment; a free, decent secure environment which challenges the potentials of each and every one in the state and the country in general," he said.

Jingau also said that the ANPP in Kano and its members, have thrown their weight behind the governor, pointing out that the party would work assiduosly to ensure that Shekarau becomes the next President. "We will continue campaigning vigorously. We know we are the only party that Nigerians can afford to trust. We know Nigerians cannot think of any other alternative than to vote Shekarau for President," he boasted.

He argued that Shekarau deserved presidential ticket because he is "focused, honest and committed to moving Nigeria forward." According to him, never in the history of Kano had a governor been elected for a second term in office, noting that Shekarau became the first person to break the jinx when he was re-elected as governor in 2007.

THISDAY further learnt that the campaign for Shekarau's presidential bid is being championed by many within and outside the state, who embark on state by state tour, soliciting the support of Kano people at home and in the Diaspora for this project.

In another development, the Kano State chapter of the ANPP has unanimously endorsed Shekarau as its nominee for the Presidency. ANPP's state Secretary, Alhaji Rabiu Ahmed Bako, said the decision was taken at a four-hour stakeholders' meeting of the party held recently in Kano. The ANPP Secretary explained that stakeholders in the state had recommended and endorsed him for the Presidency, having worked hard to advance the progress of ANPP, not only in the state, but also at the national level. He expressed hopes that the national convention would also adopt Shekarau as its candidate.

Shekarau's endorsement at the party's meeting held at Government House, was attended by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdul-Aziz Gafasa, state Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Alhaji Danladi Isa Kademi, Vice Chairman of the Elders' Committee of ANPP, Alhaji Ammani Inuwa, local government council chairmen in the state, among others. In a unanimous decision, they described Shekarau as good material for the Presidency, who is capable of shouldering the burden of leadership in an office of that magnitude.

Also speaking in support of the project, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Kurawa, Director-General of Research and Documentation in the governor's office, told THISDAY that Shekarau's performance as the Governor of Kano State was rooted in his philosophy and viable programmes, which he has executed adding that a lot of gigantic achievements have been recorded in the state through his mindful, transparent and open-door policy in governance.

Kurawa explained that all gigantic projects provided by Shekarau's administration were factors that propelled the move to drag him into the Presidency. According to him, anybody who visits Kano will notice that great changes have taken place, while people's lives are being transformed through developmental projects embarked upon within and outside Kano metropolis adding that Shekarau fulfilled his campaign promises in 2003, resulting in his re-election in 2007.

"Shekarau has restored dignity in Kano by employing 26,000 people into civil service in the state. This wonderful employment drive earned him respect and dignity among the populace of the people of Kano State."

According to him, Shekarau's administration was assessed as the best government in the country by the United Nations Development Project (UNDP), saying the administration is the best in terms of physical structures in the country, assuring that "if given the chance to Mallam Shekarau as president come 2011, a lot of developments will be witnessed in administration and governance of the country."

The Director-General pointed out that "in my own view, as someone who knew Governor Shekarau for quite a long time, definitely, Nigerians will gain a lot from his administration if elected as president of this great country. Shekarau is a true Nigerian who believes in programmes and action of development and there's no doubt that sky is his limit.

"Shekarau's programmes on water, public policy and economic growth are very impressive. His leadership style is carrying everyone along. If elected as president, Nigerians will be carried along in the administration of the country. There will be economic growth and reform which will bring about excellent leadership as the president of the country."

According to Kano ANPP, if Shekarau becomes its presidential candidate, he will no doubt be eventually elected president, assuring that the country will be better run going by his track record of policy and programmes as the governor Kano State in the country. He boasted that Kano State was witnessing rapid transformation in a manner that was never witnessed in the history of the state.

"You can take it from any angle - the human development angle, the transformation of socio-economic infrastructure, the societal re-orientation or the peace and security being enjoyed by the people. The Shekarau administration has repositioned all sectors of the Kano society - education, healthcare delivery, portable water, youth and women empowerment, security of lives and properties and so on."

Also commenting on the issue, Alhaji Sule Yau Sule, Senior Special Assistant on Press and Public Relations to the Governor, said: "What I want to assure you with all sincerity and modesty, is the harvest of developmental projects in all the nooks and crannies of the state that people can see, hoping that Mallam Shekarau is fit for the presidential race. His Excellency is totally focused on his second term mandate and committed to fulfilling his promise to transform Kano and ensure good, accountable, service-driven government for the good of Kano people.

"We have invested heavily in training and retraining our workforce. The business of government is more transparent and we have introduced due process and due diligence in public finance and procurement. We saved money by adhering to laid down principles of public procurement. In terms of welfare and wellbeing of workers, this administration has no equal, ask Kano workers. We have discharged our pension liabilities and our pensioners are the best treated nationwide.

"Our students enjoy prompt bursary and scholarship awards locally and abroad and every discipline enjoys patronage. There is no discrimination against arts or liberal studies in favour of science and technical education. We have devoted time and resources on societal re-orientation in the firm knowledge that it is only when you change the attitude of a human being that he can become self reliant and disciplined enough to be part of societal transformation. So, attitudes are changing in Kano State in a very positive manner," he said.

It was gathered that the forthcoming ANPP National Convention for the 2011 presidential election may pick Shekarau as its presidential candidate. Nevertheless, only time will tell.